Nigel Twiston-Davies today remained very bullish over Khyber Kim's chances in next week's Champion Hurdle, and said he wouldn't swap him for anything in the field.
The eight-year-old boasts a 100 per cent record at the course ths season and is currently a top priced 9-1 shot to land the opening day highlight
After clinching a course and distance victory in the Grade Three Greatwood Hurdle at The Open in November, Khyber Kim saw off last season’s Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle runner-up Celestial Halo to take the Grade Two Boylesports.com International, with Medermit third and reigning champion Punjabi back in fourth.
The Naunton handler said today: “Khyber Kim is in tremendous form and we are very confident going into the race. In my opinion, he is the forgotten horse but never mind, let’s go and win.”
The progressive gelding’s three successes over hurdles have all come with ease in the ground but Twiston-Davies believes that to be incidental.
He said: “The first day of The Festival will probably be the softest ground anyway but he doesn’t need soft. He has a lot of class and I’m very happy with him. I don’t think Paddy Brennan or I would swap him for any other, in fact I’m certain we wouldn’t.”
*The going at Cheltenham is currently:
Old and New Courses: Good to Soft, Good in Places
Cross Country Course: Good, Good to Soft in places
